Hair dryer

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a hand-held electrically powered hair dryer in which the handle is movable in its connection to the main body. The handle provided with a sliding connection to the main body so that it can assume at least two different positions on the main body portion to increase the versatility of the apparatus. The hair dryer also provides an outlet which is rotatable about a pivot axis so that the air stream itself may be directed at different angles with respect to the hair dryer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to hair dryers and, in particular, hand-held electrically powered hair dryers.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Conventional hair dryers are provided in a variety of forms. The hand-held electrical hair dryer is usually an apparatus having a main body portion containing a heater, a fan, an air inlet and an air outlet through which the heated high pressure air is driven.

[0005] Such conventional apparatus usually provides a handle on an underside of the main body extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the main body and the outlet direction of the air flow from a barrel or similar on the dryer. Furthermore, such handles are typically fixed in position with respect to the main body and can sometimes prove awkward in trying to position the barrel correctly with respect to the hair as the handle itself may be awkwardly placed with respect to the user, the power cord or similar.

[0006] The position of the handle on the underside of the main body is different on different hair dryers. Some position the handle mid-way along the main body or perhaps directly underneath the center of gravity of the main body portion. Other hand-held hair dryers position the handle adjacent a distal end of the main body from the outlet. This provides the greatest separation between the handle and the head of a person whose hair is being dried.

[0007] Regardless of the positioning of the handle, none of the current positions provide versatility to cover the wide variety of positions which may be desired during use.

[0008] Further problem with existing hair dryers is the difficulty of directing the air stream at an angle suitable relative to the dryer body. Again, to increase versatility of the apparatus, it may be desirable to direct the air stream from the dryer body at an angle other than the traditional outlet substantially along the longitudinal axis of the main body.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair dryer which overcomes one or more disadvantages of the prior art or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention consists in a hand-held hair drying apparatus comprising:

[0011] a main body portion containing an air inlet, an air outlet and means to create a flow of air from said inlet to said outlet;

[0012] a handle connected to said main body portion; and

[0013] connection means between said main body portion and said handle to accommodate said handle in at least two discreet positions with respect to said main body portion.

[0014] Accordingly, in a second aspect, the invention consists in a hand-held hair drying apparatus comprising:

[0015] a main body portion containing an air inlet, an air outlet, heating means and means to create a flow of air from said inlet to said outlet; and

[0016] a pivotal connection to allow said air outlet assume a plurality of positions with respect to the remainder of the apparatus.

[0017] Accordingly, in a third aspect, the invention consists in an attachment for a hair dryer comprises:

[0018] an inlet end;

[0019] connection means on said inlet end for connection to a hair dryer:

[0020] an outlet end; and

[0021] a pivotal connection to allow said outlet end assume at least two positions with respect to said inlet end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings in which:

[0023]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hair dryer in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0024]FIG. 2A shows a cross sectional view through a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0025]FIGS. 2B and 2C show a transverse cross sectional view through the portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2A;

[0026]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the portion of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2A-2C;

[0027]FIG. 4 shows an assembled respective view of the parts shown in FIG. 3;

[0028] FIGS. 5A-5B show side, back and front elevational views and a plane view respectively of an outlet portion of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the outlet mechanism of FIG. 5; and

[0030]FIGS. 7A and 7B show cross sectional perspective views through the pivotal mechanism for the outlet device of FIGS. 5 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] This invention relates to a hand-held electrical hair dryer 1, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] The form of such hair dryers changes to some extent and this preferred embodiment is shown to demonstrate the invention without limiting the particular form of hair dryer provided.

[0033] As shown in this embodiment, the hair dryer 1 comprises a main body portion 2 and a handle 3. The main body portion 2 of this preferred embodiment contains an air inlet 4, heating means (not shown) and a fan or similar (not shown). An outlet 5 is provided out which heated high pressure air may be driven.

[0034] The fan or similar driving means is provided to create a means for drawing air from the inlet 4 and passing air to the outlet 5, typically passing heating means. Of course, such a heater is not essential although is usual in such appliances. The form of the apparatus used as a means for creating the air flow is any type of driving means suitable for the purpose.

[0035] Again, typical with such apparatus, a series of control 6 are provided for operation of the dryer and, usually, independent operation of the heating means.

[0036] This preferred embodiment also shows connection point 7 for the power cord. The power cord itself is omitted from this overview of the hair dryer for clarity.

[0037] As shown in this prospective view of the hair dryer, the handle 3 is connected to, in this instance, an underside of the main body portion and extends substantially transverse to the general longitudinal axis 8 of the main body portion of the hair dryer. The particular orientation of this handle to the main body portion can be changed from this preferred arrangement.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, a connection means 9 is provided between the handle 3 and the main body portion 2. As can be seen from the drawings, the handle 3 is not permanently affixed in a single position with respect to the main body portion 2. Instead, the handle 3 can assume at least two discreet positions with respect to the main body portion 2.

[0039] In this particular embodiment, the handle 3 and its connection portion 10 moves within guide means 11 between a series of discreet positions. As shown more clearly in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the handle connecting portion 10 has at least one protrusion 12 to nest within cooperating recesses 13 provided in the guide means 11. Naturally, other cooperating portions could be utilized including the reverse arrangement of protrusions on the guide means and a recess on the connecting portion 10.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2C, a similar arrangement being a protrusion and cooperating recess is provided on each side of the connecting portion 10.

[0041] The guide means 11 is biased into connection with the handle connection portion 10. This is provided by biasing means 14 which, in this preferred embodiment, are provided by simple compression springs. FIG. 2B shows spring support portions 15 extending inwardly of the surrounding housing 16 to act as a locator and support for this spring 14. Again, other arrangements such as recesses or similar could be used to support springs if they are chosen as the desired biasing means.

[0042] The use of biasing means on the guide means 11 allows the connecting portion 10 and the handle 3 itself to be moved from one stable location to another. On attempting to move the handle with respect to the main body portion 2, application of sufficient force to the handle 3 causes the connecting portion 10 to disengage from its location by pushing the guide means 11 away so that it may move between the recesses 13. This engagement provides a plurality of recesses 13 so a series of stable locations are provided.

[0043] The connecting portion 9 is shown in an exploded perspective view in FIG. 3.

[0044] From FIG. 3, it can be clearly seen that the connecting portion 10 is provided with an additional protrusion 17 on an upper side. This protrusion 17 is provided to cooperate with a slot 18 provided in the main body housing to assist in supporting the handle 3 from movement in a direction other than the desired linear movement preferred in this embodiment. This linear movement is also assisted by the slot 19 in the surrounding housing 16 which helps to locate on a neck 20 of the handle 3. The guide means 11 themselves also assist in providing support. Rather than reporting this linear movement only at a single point, the provision of motive slot 19, slot 18 and cooperating portions on the handle 3 help to stop any risk of twisting of the handle with respect to the main body portion for greatest stability.

[0045] In an assembled form shown in FIG. 4, the handle 3 can move linearly between the discreet positions of support provided by the guide means 11.

[0046] Of course, other movable connections between the handle 3 and the main body portion could be provided. It is preferred that the free movement for the handle 3 with respect to the main body portion 2 be restricted to essentially linear movement in this embodiment. This allows the handle 3 to move along the distance from near the outlet 5 to the inlet end of body 2 and to provide versatility in the positioning of the hair dryer.

[0047] Rather than the biased guide means 11 as shown, other connecting means could still achieve the same linear movement. An example would be the provision of a connecting portion 10 to again move within some form of guide means in the main body portion 2. A simple locking screw or similar on the handle 3, preferably with a spring effect, could lock against the main body portion and resist further movement at desired positions but with flexibility of movement between positions and would still provide a similar result. Furthermore, this preferred embodiment provides a series of discreet locations although continuous movement over a limited region could be provided from such a locking screw type connection. However, at least two different positions need to be able to be assumed by the handle 3. Furthermore, it is intended that these positions be assumed without the complete detachment of the handle 3 and reattachment.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, an outlet nozzle 30 is shown.

[0049] In this preferred embodiment, the outlet nozzle 30 is provided as an attachment having connection means 31 for connection with cooperating means (not shown) on the main body portion 2 of the hair dryer itself. It is preferred that this nozzle be provided as an attachment although could be provided as an integral part of the hair dryer in the form of an integral barrel.

[0050] The nozzle 30 is provided with a pivot 32 which allows the outlet 5 to be rotated with respect to the inlet 32 for the nozzle 30. When provided as an integral part of the hair dryer, the same sort of pivotal connecting portion will allow the outlet 5 to be rotated with respect to the main body portion 2 of the hair dryer. This is also the effect once this nozzle 30 is connected to the hair dryer.

[0051] Pivotal connection 32 allows the outlet 5 to be rotated over a limited range of movement to redirect the air stream from the outlet 5 at different angles with respect to the main body portion 2 of the hair dryer itself. The pivotal connection 32 splits the nozzle 30 into two components being the inlet portion 33 and the outlet portion 34. These two components should nest together to provide minimum leakage of air flow or pressure loss during the passage of air through the nozzle.

[0052] As can be seen by the use shown in FIGS. 5A, 5C and 5D, the outlet portion 34 of the nozzle 30 tapers towards the final outlet 5. This-taper assists in increasing the velocity of the air flow and concentration of air flow exiting the outlet 5.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B, the mechanism providing the pivot 32 is demonstrated. Although a variety of suitable mechanisms could be used, these figures show a preferred arrangement.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 6, the housing 36 of the inlet end 33 is provided with an axle 37 protruding from at least one but preferably both sides. This axle 37 acts as the pivot axis on which the outlet end 34 is mounted.

[0055] The housing 38 of the outlet end 34 is provided with a fixing means 39 to locate on and fix to the axle 37.

[0056] The mechanism also provides cooperating gears 40 and 41 which, as shown in this embodiment, are provided by a partial spherical shaped gear 40 and an arc-shape gear 41. Each is provided with cooperating teeth 42. The gearing provided by the teeth 42 enables relative upward and downward movement of outlet portion 34. The gearing in between 40 and 41 also provides a retaining effect to hold the outlet 34 at a desired position.

[0057] These portions are shown in more detail in FIGS. 7A and 7B and these portions may also incorporate limiting means 43 to limit the full degree of rotation of one gear with respect to the other which leads to movement of the outlet 34.

[0058] A covering cap may be provided over the entire pivotal connection.

[0059] It may not be necessary to provide the gears and control over the pivotal rotation on both sides of the housings. However, the pivot axis itself is preferably extended on both sides to provide better connection and location of the two portions. Nevertheless, this is also assisted by the overlapping housing portion 44 which allows that portion 44 to nest onto the inlet portion 33.

[0060] As a whole, the housings of the hair dryer and the nozzle may be made from any suitable materials. Typically, plastic materials may be used although this should be relatively heat resistant at least to the temperatures of the heated air which may be passed through the hair dryer.

[0061] Turning to the main body portion 2, the construction and components can be provided in accordance with typical known hair dryers.

[0062] Thus it can be seen that the invention provides a hair dryer in which the handle is movable relative to the main body portion to at least two different positions. Furthermore, the outlet 5 can be rotated or adjusted to different angles with respect to the remainder of the hair dryer.

[0063] This description provides a description of preferred embodiments of the invention. The items referred to in this description are not to be considered limiting with the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. Integers referred to throughout the description are deemed to incorporate known equivalents where appropriate by those skill in the art to which the invention relates. Similarly, references to singular components may include plural where the intention of the components is the same. 

1. A hand-held hair drying apparatus comprising: a main body portion containing an air inlet, an air outlet and means to create a flow of air from said inlet to said outlet; a handle connected to said main body portion; and connection means between said main body portion and said handle to accommodate said handle in at least two discreet positions with respect to said main body portion.
 2. A hand-held hair drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connection means provides a slidable connection allowing the handle to assume positions along a line of movement.
 3. A hand-held hair drying apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the connection means includes at least two stable positions for connection of said handle to said main body.
 4. A hand-held hair drying apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connection means includes biasing means to support said handle in said discreet positions and said handle may be moved between said discreet positions against the action of said biasing means.
 5. A hand-held hair drying apparatus comprising: a main body portion containing an air inlet, an air outlet, heating means and means to create a flow of air from said inlet to said outlet; and a pivotal connection to allow said air outlet assume a plurality of positions with respect to the remainder of the apparatus.
 6. A hand-held hair drying apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein an axis of said pivotal connection is substantially transverse to the air flow towards said outlet.
 7. A hand-held hair drying apparatus as claim in claim 5 wherein said pivotal connection is incorporated in an outlet barrel or nozzle.
 8. A hand-held hair drying apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said outlet barrel or nozzle is provided as a detachable attachment.
 9. An attachment for a hair drying apparatus comprising: an inlet end; connection means on said inlet end for connection to a hair dryer; an outlet end; and a pivotal connection to allow said outlet end assume at least two positions with respect to said inlet end. 